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Susquehanna County, the Borough of Montrose and the Montrose Restoration Committee jointly announce a proposed transfer of ownership of the historic Old Jail from Susquehanna County to the Borough of Montrose. Located in the heart of downtown Montrose and part of the Courthouse Complex listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Old Jail represents a significant piece of the region’s architectural and cultural heritage.

The potential move reflects a shared commitment among all three entities to responsibly evaluate, protect and determine a sustainable future for one of the borough’s most distinctive historic structures.

On January 29, 1867, Susquehanna County Clerk William A. Crossman placed a notice for bids in the Montrose Democrat newspaper for a new county jail at the site of a small quarry on Lake Avenue. Avery Frink, who constructed several notable buildings in the Montrose area, was awarded the contract, completing the structure around 1870 at a cost of $34,707.07.

Despite renovations over the past century, the building remains largely reflective of its original design. It served as a jail through the 1980s, was later repurposed for magistrate offices, and was ultimately retired following renovations to the county courthouse within the past decade.

The Old Jail has been unused for several years as the County renovated the courthouse in a manner more adaptive to current needs. During that time, the condition of the Old Jail has continued to deteriorate, raising increasing concern among county officials, borough leadership, and preservation advocates. As a contributing structure within the nationally recognized Courthouse Complex, the building carries historic and architectural importance, but also an urgent need for informed and responsible action.

After careful evaluation, Susquehanna County determined that transferring ownership to the Borough of Montrose represents the most appropriate next step. The borough, in partnership with the Montrose Restoration Committee, is better positioned to pursue specialized funding opportunities, coordinate preservation expertise, and engage the community in determining the site’s future.

As a county-owned property, the Old Jail has faced limitations in accessing many historic preservation funding sources. Numerous state and federal programs, administered through the Pennsylvania State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), the National Park Service and private foundations, prioritize or are restricted to municipalities and nonprofit organizations.

By transferring ownership to the Borough of Montrose, the property becomes eligible for a broader and more flexible range of funding opportunities, including grants and low-interest financing tools. In partnership with the Montrose Restoration Committee, a nonprofit organization with established experience in historic preservation, the borough is better equipped to pursue and manage these resources.

The Montrose Restoration Committee would play a leading role in identifying, pursuing, and administering preservation-related funding opportunities. With strong community ties and a track record of supporting Montrose’s historic character, the Committee is well positioned to coordinate with state and national preservation partners and guide early planning efforts.

Potential funding sources may include programs through the Pennsylvania SHPO, the National Park Service’s Historic Preservation Fund, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, and private foundations. The Committee will also explore partnerships with regional organizations and academic institutions with expertise in historic structures and adaptive reuse.

As a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the Committee is also able to accept tax-deductible contributions from individuals and organizations interested in supporting the effort.

The next phase of this process will focus on identifying a feasible and community-supported path forward for the Old Jail. This includes evaluating public interest in preservation alongside a clear understanding of the building’s condition, associated costs, and long-term sustainability.

Following the transfer, a comprehensive structural assessment is necessary to define the scope, urgency, and cost of potential stabilization efforts. This assessment will provide essential information to guide decision-making and determine whether preservation and restoration are viable, and at what scale.

Any future path, whether stabilization, partial preservation, or broader site redevelopment, will depend on the availability of funding through a combination of grants, private contributions, and community support. While restoration remains an aspirational goal, it is one of several outcomes that must be carefully evaluated based on feasibility.

Given the building’s location within the National Register-listed Courthouse Complex, all parties are committed to a thoughtful, transparent, and community-informed process that respects both its historic significance and present-day constraints.

The future of the Old Jail is a subject that evokes strong interest and deep pride within the community. Many residents have expressed a desire to see the building rehabilitated with ideas for readapted use, ideas that reflect a shared appreciation for the structure’s historic character and its potential role in downtown revitalization.

However, the current condition of the building presents significant challenges. The structure has experienced substantial deterioration. Preliminary evaluations indicate that even achieving basic structural stabilization, necessary to prevent further decline, would require an investment in the multi-million-dollar range. Importantly, this level of funding would not restore the building to a usable condition. Bringing the structure to a point where it could safely support occupancy or adaptive reuse would require considerably more investment beyond that initial cost.

While grant funding and private donations will be actively pursued, these sources are competitive and not guaranteed. It is therefore essential to approach the future of the Old Jail with a clear understanding of both the scale of need and the uncertainty of available resources.

In recognition of the building’s significance, and the community’s strong connection to it, Susquehanna County, the Borough of Montrose, and the Montrose Restoration Committee are committed to a transparent and inclusive process. Community engagement will play a central role in shaping decisions, ensuring that residents are informed and have meaningful opportunities for input.

If full stabilization and restoration prove financially or technically unfeasible, alternative approaches may be considered. One potential option could include the careful deconstruction of the structure, with the salvage and reuse of key architectural elements in a new public space, such as a pocket park or small amphitheater. A more limited alternative would be removal of the structure to allow for functional reuse of the site.

All parties are committed to ensuring that decisions are made deliberately, openly, and with full public awareness, balancing preservation goals with fiscal responsibility and long-term community benefit.

The Susquehanna County Commissioners’ Office commented, “Transferring the Old Jail to the Borough of Montrose is a thoughtful and necessary step to ensure this historic structure is evaluated with the full range of tools and expertise available. This building is an important part of our county’s history, but it is also at a point where clear-eyed assessment and responsible decision-making are essential. We are committed to a transparent process that considers both public interest and the financial realities of stabilization and long-term use.”

Montrose Borough Council President Randall Schuster stated, “The Borough recognizes both the significance of the Old Jail and the challenges it presents. Accepting ownership allows us to more fully explore what is possible, beginning with a thorough structural assessment and an open dialogue with the community. Our priority is to move forward in a way that is transparent, fiscally responsible, and reflective of what residents want to see for this site.”

Montrose Restoration Committee member Sean Granahan said, “The Old Jail has long been a defining feature of Montrose’s historic core, and this moment creates an opportunity to take a closer, more informed look at its future. Our role will be to help guide the evaluation process, pursue potential funding, and ensure the community remains part of the conversation. Preservation is one possibility, but any path forward must be grounded in what is realistically achievable and sustainable.”

It hardly matters that members of the Mountain View School Board approved a preliminary budget for the next fiscal year at their May meeting on the 4th, since it isn’t a final product. According to Business Manager Tom Witiak it is out of balance by about $500,000, expenses over revenue, a figure that he and Superintendent Michael Elia expect to winnow out before the next meeting in June when a balanced final budget must be accepted.

Mr. Witiak told the Board that the district’s healthcare expenses will experience “a very large increase.” Of the $24.5 million expense budget, Mr. Witiak said that some 88% was contractual and not easy to cut. Dr. Elia noted that a number of faculty are nearing retirement age. Aging staff earn higher salaries, and can also lead to higher health insurance claims.

No details were available, but that doesn’t matter much, since it will change before it becomes final. There was no discussion or debate over the budget among Board members. Chase Poplawski posted the only No vote, saying later that he had promised those who voted for him last November that he would try to hold the line on taxes. That didn’t quite work out, since the new budget calls for a property tax increase of 3.9%; that’s lower than the state-defined “index” of 4.1%, but still an increase.

What won’t change is the district’s indebtedness. The district is responsible for a $12 million bond issue in 2018, as well as 2 bank loans totaling another $5.2 million. According to Mr. Witiak, service on all that debt will cost the district very nearly $1 million per year. Since the district has no fund balance (surplus from prior years) to fall back on, it’s unclear how Dr. Elia and Mr. Witiak will find half a million dollars to trim.

The district still has about $2.3 million in the bank, according to the treasurer’s report, of which $1.4 million is in the general fund. Will that be enough to finish out the year?

The public meeting actually opened with a moment of silence for Peg Foster, a former principal at Mountain View Elementary School who died recently as a result of violence at her home in Jackson.

The outgoing Student Government representative to the Board, Caroline Symuleski offered the Board a rundown on activities of the various student groups. Notably, she listed the newly elected class officers for the 2026-2027 school year: President, Lindsey Reuss; Vice President, Anabelle Bowman; School Board Liaison, Audrey Anderson; Secretary, Aubreigh McGrath; Treasurer, Gianna Gravine; and Junior High Liaison, Molly Parisot.

Elsewhere on the agenda:

• The Board re-appointed Peoples Security Bank & Trust as its bank of record. PSBT holds district loans totaling some $5.2 million.
  
  
• The Board appointed G. H. Harris Associates of Dallas, PA to collect delinquent per capita and occupational taxes for 2026-2027. These taxes, often referred to as “nuisance taxes,” don’t bring in much money.
  
  
• The Board appointed Acrisure as its insurer for property, auto, worker’s compensation, etc. coverage. Acrisure is an international insurance broker based in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
  
  
• The Board approved Government Software Services, based in Honesdale, PA, to print the district’s tax bills.
  
  
• The Board approved an agreement with Freepoint Energy Solutions, through the end of calendar year 2028. Freepoint is an energy broker based in Houston, Texas. Mountain View uses them to provide electrical energy.
  
  
• The Board appointed Errol Mannick as Boys Varsity Head Coach.
  
  
• The Board approved the annual request of Child Evangelism Fellowship of Susquehanna County for its religious instruction program for the next school year.
• The Board approved this summer’s “Extended School Year” program that will cover much of the month of July.
  

It has been a “very busy testing” season, in the words of Bridget Frounfelker, Director of Curriculum & Instruction. The PSSA tests are complete, with Advanced Placement (AP) testing to follow. Otherwise, the school year is “winding down,” said Special Education Director Erica Loftus.

The Mountain View School Board will meet next in public session Monday, June 8, 2026 when they will be expected to adopt a final, balanced budget for the next fiscal year. Meetings take place in the Zick Boardroom in the Elementary School building.

During the regular scheduled Forest City Borough Council meeting held on May 4, 2026 Council created a committee of three Council members to review opening the roads east of Main Street to UTV/ATV’s. Councilwoman Tracy Lazier will be the Chair of the Committee, with Donna Gasper and Michael Norella Sr. serving on the committee. The committee would gather evidence whether or not it would be conducive to the growing of businesses and maintaining businesses in the Borough. Council President Jason Obelenus stated it’s not a Council decision only and would like the public to be involved. Whomever was interested should give their name and contact number to the committee chair. He also stated Mayor Nicholas Cost would be welcomed at the meetings.

During Public Comment several people went up to the microphone to give their opinion on whether or not this would be advantageous to the Borough and the businesses. Eric Burns stated the community needed to be considered for quality of life. He said the noise of the ATV’s going up and down his street interrupted his tranquility. Mr. Burns suggested the committee conduct an impact study and a traffic engineer study. He said ATV’s tore up a farmer’s field and now he’s out $600 to reseed his property.

Brian Kowalski said the ultimate goal is to keep businesses in town and attract new businesses. He feels it would be good for tourism and the current businesses. Mr. Kowalski spoke to the Mayor of Shamokin where they have allowed ATV’s and UTV’s and Clifford Township already approved an ATV trail. He posed the question, “Are you going to have problems?” Answered himself, “I’m sure, but motorcycles are as bad as ATV’s with speeding and noise.”

Dr. Katie Zefran offered her opinion based upon a feasibility study conducted prior which revealed there is no industry in Forest City to bring in business and she doesn’t feel there is enough with the ATV/UTV allowance to bring businesses into town. It won’t be enough, not with recreation alone.

Many people volunteered for the committee both pro and con and will work together to see if this would be a good move for the community and businesses.

Councilman Bernie Scalzo reported Maxie Street is open and the recycling donations for April totaled $212. He also gave updates on the storm water project which is under the control of JHA and they are on top of the project. Councilman Scalzo stated nothing much is going to happen until late summer with the grant.

The Greater Forest City Business Alliance (GFCBA) was granted permission to use the 3rd floor of the Borough building for a “Sip & Paint Event” to be held on July 30, 2026. The proceeds will go to the 250 USA Celebration in Forest City.

Councilman Michael Norella requested approval from Council to repair the salt shed from a quote Phil Hodges provided in the amount of $7,450. He said to replace the building would be upwards of $100,000 which they do not have at this time. Council approved the expense. Also requested was to have David Johns of Design Engineering help write a grant requesting up to $250,000 to build a handicap fishing dock and upgrades to the restrooms at the park for ADA accessibility. The Borough would be responsible for 30% of the total money used. Council approved the request.

Main Street will be closed on May 25, 2026, Memorial Day from 10:30 for the parade to 11:00 for the Memorial service at the E.M. Viquesney Doughboy statue.

Councilwoman Eileen Lynch gave the April Code Enforcement Report which consisted of 5 issues, 2 permits for Zoning and 21 rental inspections. A question was raised from the public as to what they inspect in a rental property? She informed them electrical, smoke and carbon dioxide detectors and check to see if any egress is covered preventing the renters from getting out of the building in case of a fire.

Mayor Nicholas Cost provided Council the April Police Report which shows speeding is still an issue in the Borough and drivers not paying attention to the Crosswalks. He will have the Police keep an eye on the issues. He also reported they collected 23.2 pounds of pharmaceutical products on April 25, 2026.

Solicitor Marissa McAndrew reported she filed 1 lien in April and there are 2 past due going out in June if the residents do not take care of the payment. She said the Zoning Ordinance revision was ready to send to the Forest City and Susquehanna Planning Committees regarding the changes including Data Centers. Solicitor McAndrew said she has a lot of similar verbiage used in the Susquehanna County’s Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance (SALDO) and also verbiage that would apply specifically to the Borough.

During this time a member of Greater Forest City Business Alliance requested Council consider a mixed use of the Industrial property – residential on one side of Route 247 and Industrial on the opposite side. He said they have been trying to get industries into Forest City to no avail. If they turn it into residential; they can sell the property to a developer who would build middle to high end homes similar to Susquehanna Street. Development with a homeowner’s association would eliminate having to cut the grass or maintain the property. He spoke to a member of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and they said they would accept any payment a developer would offer for the property to forgive the $1.8M dollar loan. He feels it’s something they should work on fast while they are willing to accept any payment for the loan. Council was very open to the suggestion with Councilman Norella asking Solicitor McAndrew if there was a minimal size the industrial section needs to be. She said she would look into it but didn’t see a problem at this time with separating the land. Solicitor McAndrew will provide an update at the next meeting.

The next regular meeting will be held on Monday, June 1, 2026 at 6:00pm.

The May meeting of the Great Bend Borough Council was relatively brief, lasting barely a half hour, and covering a short list of items, perhaps the most interesting of which was a proposal last month by Council Member Jerry MacConnell to increase their own pay.

Council members are now paid $20 per month. Any increase would only affect newly-elected members. Mr. MacConnell suggested $50 per month, to “get new blood involved in the town.” However likely $600 per year might be to attract more people to participate, Mr. MacConnell’s colleague, Mike Crook, didn’t think it was necessary, saying, “I do it for love of my town.”

Speaking of which, the Borough – by law – must have an Emergency Management Coordinator. Secretary Sheila Guinan said that she would ask the fire company to nominate someone.

Paving this year will take place on Carroll Street, on Kilrow Street (near the railroad tracks), and on Williams Street between Washington and Franklin Streets.

The empty lot at 279 Main Street is still a sore spot. Nobody yet has bid anything close to what the Borough might accept to purchase the property. The Borough has sunk more than $40,000 into it, and, while Council doesn’t expect to get anything close to that for it, they would like to get a reasonable offer. In the meantime, the town’s maintenance worker is tasked with keeping it cleaned up and presentable.

The Borough was asked by the Little League to refurbish the dugouts at VFW Recreation Park. The work will be done after the end of the baseball season, at which time electricity will be supplied to the outbuilding. John Lord will be donating his time to do the work.

The Borough received notice about applications for Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) for 2026. No one could think of any project that might qualify.

The next public meeting of the Great Bend Borough Council is scheduled for Thursday, June 4, 2026 beginning at 7:00pm in the Borough building at Elizabeth & Franklin Streets.